Donald "Slick" Watts

In 1973, Slick Watts was bypassed in all ten rounds of the college draft. When asked why he didn’t just quit he said, “since age four I’ve wanted to play ball, any ball. My whole family talked and argued sports. They believed in my ability. I couldn’t give up.” Slick believes in mastering one’s own skills, not copying somebody else. He likes to play defense the best and practices hard at it. He says, “Each player must share his talents, that’s what makes a good team.”

Legendary NBA Superstar, Slick Watts, is no stranger to the Greater Seattle area. He has lived, worked and served in the community for over 30 years.

He began his NBA career un-drafted out of tiny Xavier of Louisiana. His hustle and tenacity made him a necessary member of the Seattle Supersonics team from 1973-1978. He was then traded to the New Orleans Jazz and eventually ended up with the Houston Rockets. Renowned for his tough “D”, heady play and flashy style, Slick is one of the most successful and popular Sonics in franchise history. In 1976 he led the NBA in total assists, assists per game, total steals, steals per game, and made NBA All-Defense First-Team. That same year, Watts also received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding service to the community. In 1977, Slick received the Seattle Sports star of the Year Award.

After retiring from the league, Slick returned to the Seattle area to pursue his ultimate passion, working with the youth. In 1992, he coached Donald (MVP) and the Seattle area Basketball Congress International 16 and under team to a National Championship Title in Phoenix. For the last 20 years he has dedicated his time to working as a teacher in the Seattle School District. Currently he is also working as a community ambassador for the Sonics.

Slicks’s career highlights:

• 1976 – 1st to lead NBA in total steals & assists per game
• 1976 – NBA All Defense First Team
• 1976 - Received J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
• 1976 – Seattle Sports Star of the Year
• 2007 - Sonics 40th Anniversary Team

Donald Watts

Donald Watts is one of the most decorated players in the history of the State of Washington. At six foot five-inches and 205 pounds, he was regarded Pac 10's most versatile guard with an NBA body and skills. His soft touch and shooting ease led The University of Washington to two consecutive NCAA tournaments, as team co-captain, and dominated the court as UW KOMO MVP. The passion and skill that made him so unique, now transcends into his coaching style today.

Donald was fortunate to work with some of the greatest coaches and players in the world including Fred Brown, the greatest shooter of all time, as well as his Father "Slick" Watts, MagicJohnson and Xavier McDaniel. Each man instilled in him the passion to improve. It was from them that he learned to prepare his game and continuously push himself to new levels and heights throughout his career. In his early years, Donald excelled on the court at Interlake and LakeWashington High Schools, with his peak performance Sophomore year, in a game where he scored 43 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. Leadership like this is what eventually garnered him the title of Washington State Consensus Player of the Year. During his senior year, he chose to sign with the University of Washington Huskies on a full scholarship, over Kansas, Georgetown and Arizona, as one of the state’s top recruits. His college career was highlighted by his awe-inspiring presence at a pivotal Sweet Sixteen Tournament; it gained him the recognition his skills deserved.

With success, however, there are often obstacles. During his college career, Donald was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The disease may have slowed his game, but it inspired his mind. Determined not to allow it to derail him, he went on to study the efficiency of motion and how it applied to the game he loves. To fully understand this concept, Donald proceeded to study martial arts and the teachings of Bruce Lee, applying what he learned to his playing strategy.

"It's not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.”
-Bruce Lee-

“Learning basketball is like a dance. You train your body to move a certain way, whether you’re
learning jumping or shooting skills. Basketball is a fluid game. It’s very dynamic.”
-Donald Watts-

After college, Donald played abroad professionally and in the NBA Farm System, including the IBL, where he was named 3 Time All-Star. He also received offers to take his game to the next level with personal tryouts for the Seattle Supersonics and the Portland Trailblazers. He went on to provide Color Commentary for FOX Sports, and continues to deliver college basketball analysis for local media outlets. Some may revere Donald’s diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue as a set back or a wall. Donald, however, views it as his strength. The fatigue pushed Donald to transform his way of looking at the game, in this, a better way was created, ultimately resulting in a superior coaching technique. Obstacles are unavoidable, in basketball and in life; it’s his goal to impart the skills necessary to overcome to his athletes. This structure and mindset is what makes Coach Donald Watts a Master Coach.

Some of his accomplishments include:

Kenan Oliver

Cloverdale Jr. High School: A lanky kid who got cut from the 7th grade team; had never played organized basketball until the age of 13. Averaged 0.2 Points, 2 Rebounds, 0.1 Assists

In High School: A dominant player who was a high school All-America nominee . . . lettered two years for Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Alabama. . . as a senior he was tabbed all-conference and was named a Top 10 Senior at the University of Alabama Senior Camp. 16 Points, 8rebounds, 3 Assists Per game.

At Northeastern Mississippi Community College: Earned second-team all conference honors as a freshman . . . averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists.

At State Fair Community College: Lettered in 2001-02 as a sophomore for the Roadrunners . . . started at small forward and averaged Fourteen points, six rebounds, three assists for the season.

University Of Central Missouri: As a Senior: Finished third on the team in shooting, hitting 51.3 percent . . . averaged 16.2 points per contest to go with 7.9 rebounds . . . scored in double figures in all games, and grabbed double-digit rebounds twice (12 vs. Westminster, Nov. 25 and 13 vs. Missouri Southern, Jan. 8) . . . had a season-high 25 points vs. Southwest Baptist (Feb. 8) when he hit 8-of-11 from the floor and also pulled down six boards . . . came back four nights later at Missouri-Rolla (Feb. 12) and threw in 18 points and nabbed five rebounds . . . almost posted his first triple-double of the year in the Sonic / MIAA C h a m p i o n s h i p Tournament with 17 points, nine boards, and 7 Assists vs. Washburn (March 7).

South Sound Athletics Pro-Am: Averaged 20 Points, 9 Rebounds, 4 Assists per game

Seattle Mountaineers IBL: In Limited Minutes Averaged 3.8 Points, 3.2 Rebounds, 0.6 Assists

Jamaal Crawford Summer Pro-League: Averaged 22 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists

Seattle Mountaineers ABA: Current Averaging 14 points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists